Secret compartment for furniture.



R. W. IRWIN.

SECRET GOMPARTMENT FOR FURNITURE.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 17,1913.

Patented Dec. 22, 1914.

WEH

unrrn ROBERT W. IRWIN, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

SECRET COMPARTMENT FOR FURNITURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 22, 1&14.

Application filed December 17, 1913. Serial No. 807,807.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ROBERT W. IRWIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grand Rapids, Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Secret Compartments for Furniture, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in secret compartments for furniture.

The objects of this invention are: First, to provide an improved secret compartment for use in furniture drawers and the like. Second, to provide in such a compartment an improved fastening means which is effectively concealed.

Further objects, and objects relating to details and economies of construction and operation will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a perspective view of a part of a drawer showing my secret compartment built into the corner thereof. Fig. II is a sectional view on the line 2-9. of Fig. I. Fig. III is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. II. Fig. IV is a transverse sectional view on the line 44: of Fig. II, showing details of the fastening means. Fig. V is a perspective view of a corner of the compartment, showing the stops for supporting the cover.

In the drawing. similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction. of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Considering the numbered parts of the drawing, 3 is the bottom of the drawer of which 1 and 4' are the side walls and 2 is the front. My secret compartment comprises a box which is built into the corner of this drawer and two of the walls of which are formed by the side wall 1 and the front wall 2 of the drawer. 5 and 6 are the other two side walls of the compartment.

7 is the cover which is provided with a hemi-spherical concavity 8 in the central portion thereof, adapted to receive collar and buttons or similar small articles. From the center of this concavity, a restricted passage 9 passes through the cover 7. This passage is of such size as to receive a pin or piece of wire of similar size.

The cover is held on the box by means of the catch 10 which is pivoted at 11 in lugs 13 depending from the plate 12 which is secured to the bottom of the cover at 1%. The catch 10 is so located on the under side of the cover 7 that the push piece 15 of said catch is disposed beneath the end of the passage 9 so as to be engaged to release the catch by a pin or wire passed through said passage. The catch 10 is held normally in engagement with the keeper 17, secured at 18 to the bottom of the box, by means of the spring 16 which is seated between the lugs 13 in the plate 1:2.

19 are stops provided in the corners of the box with which the spring plates 20, secured at their .centers to the bottom of the cover. engage. These spring plates 20 serve to hold the catch 10 tightly in engagement with the keeper 17 and prevent rattling of the cover. They also start the cover upwardly when the catch is released so that it may be lifted from the box by the fingers.

The object of my invention is to provide a jewel box or secret compartment which can be built into the corner of a chiffonnier drawer and which has a catch so located and operated that it will escape detection. The concavity 8 is designed to receive collar buttons or the like which will accumulate in the (enter thereof so that the passage 9 will be practically concealed and will be quite likely to escape detection. The construction of this compartment is such that it appears to be a mere collar button holder and the pilferer will not be likely to suspect the presence of a secret compartment.

I am aware that the particular embodiment which I have here shown is susce tiblc of considerable variat on without departing from the spirit of my invention. and I therefore do not w sh to be rest icted to the same. However. I have found that this form is to be preferred and the efore I desire to claim the same specifically as well as broadly as indicated by my appended claims. I

Having thus described my invention.what I cla m as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent. is:

1. In a structure of the class described,

the combination with a drawer, of a compartment built into said drawer, a removable tray-like cover therefor having a depressed central portion, a pinhole passage extending through the depressed central portion of said cover and a catch for holding said cover in place adapted to be released by means passed through said pinhole passage, all coacting substantially as described for the purpose specified.

2. In a structure of the class described, the combination with a drawer, of a compartment built into the said drawer, a removable tray-like cover therefor having a depressed central portion, apin-hole passage through the depressed central portion of said cover, spring means for engaging said cover and a catch for holding said cover in place against the tension of said spring means, said catch being adapted to be released by means passed through said pinhole passage, all coacting substantially as described for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT W. IRA/VIN. [L.S.] lVitnesses ALICE BIDDLE, SUsAN P; VVENDELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained. for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). C. 

